The 4th Official

[Romanis]

I read the comments in the match thread (started by Es*** of all people, now you know who to blame for the loss!).

I think there's a misconception. The 4th official or the linesman (in any case) cannot overrule the referee. The referee has sole discretion to enforce any decision, to ignore any advice/call, or to overrule (his assistants).

The 4th official is not involved in active play or decision making. That lies entirely with the referee and his assistants (for off-sides, ball in out of play primarily).

Even for substitutions, players re-entering the field and the amount of injury time, the 4th official cannot act arbitrarily, unless the referee has given his permission beforehand. The referee would have to brief him and spell out his duties, especially for players re-entering the field, because without permission that's yellow card offence, and injury time, which is at the referee's sole discretion.

The 4th official is merely a substitute, ready to take over if the referee is

[dam617]

I wouldn't be surprised if the 4th official didn't see it either. After Assombalonga's goal the Birmingham players were harassing the referee like Man Utd used to in the Keane days - they looked like a blue-shirted flock of seagulls piling into a pensioner who's holding a bag of chips.
It was the same after the handball - the 4th had his chips out too.

[AngryRam]

I was listening to the radio coming back from Leeds yesterday and it seemed unanimous that the forth official can overrule. Seems strange but there was not really an arguement against the decision.
Big screens at grounds do not show contentious decisions..

[Polish_ForestMad]

Pearce and rowett said it looked like a peno from where they were and the 4th official was stood 5yards behind Pearce.pearce has said the right decision was made but he only thought it looked like a handball.if rowett and Pearce couldn't say for defo it was a handball how can the 4th official be 100%?impossible for him to be 100%.from the angle of which the 4th official seen it Britts body was in the way of the 4th official seeing the ball hit his hand,what he has seen is the ball deflect up and over the bar.
Anyway this just shows how poor the ref was yesterday.iv just looked him up to make sure he wasn't from around the brum area.

[Romanis]

I was listening to the radio coming back from Leeds yesterday and it seemed unanimous that the forth official can overrule.

It seemed?

What do radio commentators know about refereeing decision making?

Referees report to a committee and for every major match there is a match commissioner and referee's assessor.
The whole stadium and media can say the referee did a good job, but if the assessor finds his performance is not in accordance with the rules (18 laws), proper use of his discretion and spirit of the game, he'll be taken to task.

A referee can allow a 4th official some say or consultation, but he alone decides. It's obvious he missed the incident and when the Brum players started protesting, he became unsure. Only his 4th official saved him, by telling him what happened.

[Polish_ForestMad]

The refs need more help.
Just look at the man city game today,there was 2 incidents in the first 10 mins.nasri gets fouled in front of the Lino,the Lino gives a goal kick as the ball went out.it was a clear foul 1 yard in front of him.the next one aguero gets the ball in the box runs across it and gets brought down 5yards in front of the ref,clear penalty and aguero gets booked for being fouled!
The 4th official cannot overrule the ref as the ref is in charge and has the final say.the 4th official can only bring things to his attention that he thinks he missed.the ref seen a deflection of the ball and gave a corner.

[fingles]

He didn't notice the consistent fouling of Donalson, the many foul throw ins and the very poor sportsmanship when the ball was on the penalty spot from the Forest players.

[fingles]

I think Blues fans thought he was poor too. Persistent fouling from Forest went unpunished.

[Polish_ForestMad]

I think Blues fans thought he was poor too. Persistent fouling from Forest went unpunished.

You defiantly didn't watch the game then.everytime we got near your players the ref would blow for a free kick but you could push pull trip and that was fine.is that the same Donaldson that had hold of the defenders shirt everytime you hoofed it 60ft in the air?

[su4eranio]

The grapes appear to be very sour today Polish!